008: Parma (LIMP) → Portorož (LJPZ).
POI’s:
This was simultaneously a very good sightseeing flight and an utter failure flight - you see the reason a bit further down in this post. Well, it started great with clear skies above Sorbolo to the northeast of Parma.
The next major landmark was the Po River which I crossed east of Mantova near Brede. A commonality between most pictures taken on this flight are the ever-present Alps in the distance.
Now you might guess why I call this flight partially an utter failure: Closing in on Padova and the Adriatic Coast a thick fog appeared, here seen from Conselve to the south of Padova.
And there we have it - a most beautiful and breathtaking shot of Venezia, don’t you think? Yes, the main goal of this specific leg, taking a picture of the beautiful city of Venice, was a complete failure due to the fog. But at least we’ve got the Alps way back in the distance…
Just to rub it in the fog disappeared as soon as I ccleared the Adriatic Coast of Italy. Once I reached Istria it was completely gone, so I could at least take some nice shots of my approach to Portorož, like this one of Piran.
Entering the bay and passing Portorož itself I landed a few kilometers away from the Croatian border on Portorož Airport.
Small fact:
Did you know that Portorož (as part of the city of Piran) is part of a disputed territory? After the dissolution of Yugoslavia both Slovenia and Croatia claim this part of Istria as their own and even an EU ruling in 2017 could not end the conflict between both countries.